Delegates successfully complete UNODC courses |12 May 2015

Delegates who have completed two short courses organised by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) coordinated by the Guy Morel Institute of the University of Seychelles have been praised for their received their certificates.

The courses on maritime crime and law enforcement management as well as maritime crime and correctional administration, with credit towards advanced diploma, targeted senior police and prison officers from Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya and Tanzania.

 These countries, according to the UNODC, were selected as they conduct prosecutions of maritime piracy cases and therefore require capacity building for both police and prison services.

The course was conducted at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort at Baie Lazare but the exams were undertaken at the Guy Morel Institute, Ma Joie. It was conducted by UNDOC senior country officer for Seychelles, Shanaka Jayasekara, and the dean of the Guy Morel Institute, Shella Mohideen.

UniSey Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Hardy, said it is the third time that the university has delivered courses in partnership with the UNODC. He said this testifies the level of commitment and trust that exist between the two parties.

“Seychelles has played a significant role in countering maritime piracy and has the practical understanding on matters relating to maritime crime. The University of Seychelles has been very supportive of this initiative and has been committed to its accreditation through the Seychelles Qualification Authority,” said Mr Jayasekara when explaining why Seychelles has been chosen to host the course.

He added that the delegates were the first to have gone through this process. He said as maritime crime is expanding, countries have to look at new ways to combat it. In the future the course will include representatives from more countries of the Indian Ocean region like the Comoros, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Mrs Mohideen described the course as an intense time for the delegates but in the end it was very worthy as they had all come together for a common cause.

“It is important that we get together and find strategic ways to protect our ocean,” she said, adding that the course was about acquiring advanced skills and knowledge for such a purpose.

After thanking Mr Jayasekara on behalf of the UniSey, Mrs Mohideen had a small token of appreciation for the lecturers. The certificates are to be delivered at a later date due to unforeseen circumstances.